$50 million a year need to maintain Montreal’s infrastructure

MONTREAL – City officials said Wednesday that $50 million a year would be needed just to maintain the current infrastructure in Montreal.

A press conference was held Wednesday morning to outline the state of Montreal’s tunnels, overpasses and bridges.

Richard Deschamps, city councillor and vice-chairman of the Montreal Executive Committee, responsible for infrastructure and economic development, noted that 56 per cent of structures were built before 1970 and of these, 24 are in a critical state of disrepair. 

Deschamps also said that 93 per cent of the 589 structures in Montreal were inspected in 2012, and $10 million was spent that year to maintain them.

Approximately $35 million has been budgeted for 2013, and $27 million has been slated for 2014.

SOUND OFF: Do you think that $50 million will be enough to sort out Montreal’s infrastructure problems? Let us know in the comments.